FRISCO, Tex. — Two days are in the books at the 2018 Generation adidas Cup and the semifinalists in the Champions and Premier Divisions will be determined Monday, after Matchday 3 was moved up from Tuesday due to inclement weather.
Monterrey is the only team to lock up a spot in the semifinals and a couple spots will be determined in all MLS matchups. The Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew SC will meet to determine the winner of Group A in the Premier Division at 12:15 pm ET (match will be streamed on MLSsoccer.com and YouTube), with each beating the New England Revolution and Matsumoto Yamaga FC. The Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact match at 10 am ET (match will be streamed on MLSsoccer.com and YouTube) could determine the winner of Group B, after a late Union winner from Matt Myers ensured his team got all six points in their first two matches.
Toronto, Atlanta, NYCFC, Dallas and the LA Galaxy all have at least an outside shot to win a group in the Champions Division.
NYCFC triumph over Real Madrid
New York City FC started off their 2018 GA Cup run on the wrong foot, losing 3-0 to Atletico Paranaense and seeing midfielder Justin Haak shown red. That made the task against Real Madrid even tougher, as they needed to get all three points to keep their hopes alive of a Champions Division title.
After a disjointed first half, academy director and NYCFC U-17 head coach Rodrigo Marion had the midas touch in the second half, inserting winger David Alino and seeing him score just seven minutes later. They were able to see out the final 15 minutes of the half and take all three points. Atletico Paranaense's 1-0 win against Sporting Kansas City put their title hopes in massive jeopardy, as they would need Real Madrid to beat the Brazilian club and then hope to beat Sporting KC by at least five goals.
Come for the @NYCFC U-17s beating Real Madrid in #GACup action, stay for the goal celebration. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1Gb6nFlnxD
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 26, 2018
Conway leads ATLUTD over Portland
Atlanta United ended their first match against Independiente del Valle with one point, losing in a penalty-kick shootout after ending 70 minutes in a 0-0 draw. A win against Portland was absolutely imperative to have any shot at winning their group and advancing to the semifinals of the Champions Division.
They were able to accomplish just that on Saturday afternoon, beating the Timbers 3-0 behind a hat trick from forward Jackson Conway. The Marietta, Ga. native has 23 goals in 19 Development Academy matches this season, leading the Under-17 age group. ATLUTD first-team defender George Bello played all 70 minutes.
The Five Stripes will play Flamengo for first place in the group and a spot in the semifinals at 3:30 pm ET. The match will be streamed on YouTube and MLSsoccer.com.
